{"_id":"55e896f0315c421700d43b57","__v":1,"category":{"_id":"55e896ef315c421700d43b48","__v":1,"version":"55e896ee315c421700d43b47","pages":["55e896f0315c421700d43b51","55e896f0315c421700d43b52","55e896f0315c421700d43b53","55e896f0315c421700d43b54","55e896f0315c421700d43b55","55e896f0315c421700d43b56","55e896f0315c421700d43b57","55e896f0315c421700d43b58"],"project":"54f78bd68d53ed17000116b3","sync":{"url":"","isSync":false},"reference":false,"createdAt":"2015-03-04T22:48:55.455Z","from_sync":false,"order":0,"slug":"first-use","title":"First Use"},"version":{"_id":"55e896ee315c421700d43b47","__v":1,"project":"54f78bd68d53ed17000116b3","createdAt":"2015-09-03T18:52:30.275Z","releaseDate":"2015-09-03T18:52:30.275Z","categories":["55e896ef315c421700d43b48","55e896ef315c421700d43b49","55e896ef315c421700d43b4a","55e896ef315c421700d43b4b"],"is_deprecated":false,"is_hidden":false,"is_beta":false,"is_stable":true,"codename":"","version_clean":"1.2.0","version":"1.2"},"githubsync":"","project":"54f78bd68d53ed17000116b3","user":"54f78bb50a3cbb0d00d6668c","updates":["54f9dc27179d392300695795"],"next":{"pages":[],"description":""},"createdAt":"2015-03-05T01:35:32.871Z","link_external":false,"link_url":"","sync_unique":"","hidden":false,"api":{"results":{"codes":[]},"settings":"","auth":"required","params":[],"url":""},"isReference":false,"order":6,"body":"If you have an assembled Argentum, the stepper current should already be tuned. It's important to check just incase something has gone wrong during shipping.\n[block:callout]\n{\n \"type\": \"warning\",\n \"title\": \"Turn off the power to your Argentum before continuing.\"\n}\n[/block]\nGripping the lowest part of the cartridge carriage (close to the rods), move the carriage to roughly the centre of the the printer area.\n[block:image]\n{\n \"images\": [\n {\n \"image\": [\n \"https://files.readme.io/30rH8ejnRR2zLR39fbZe_Screen%20Shot%202015-03-05%20at%2011.41.13%20am.png\",\n \"Screen Shot 2015-03-05 at 11.41.13 am.png\",\n \"486\",\n \"400\",\n \"#b8282e\",\n \"\"\n ],\n \"caption\": \"Carriage assembly in centre of print area.\"\n }\n ]\n}\n[/block]\n\n[block:callout]\n{\n \"type\": \"warning\",\n \"title\": \"Turn on the power to your Argentum before continuing.\"\n}\n[/block]\nWe will now perform a test of the stepper motors. The below instruction will cause your printer to start oscillating diagonally around the print area.\n[block:callout]\n{\n \"type\": \"info\",\n \"title\": \"Stepper motor \\\"skipping\\\"\",\n \"body\": \"Skipping sounds like your tray-table rattling during takeoff and occurs when the motor does not have access to enough current in order to overcome resistive forces in the desired direction of movement.\"\n}\n[/block]\nStart **ARC** if it is not already running. Select **Printer** from the top menu bar then **Utilites > Stepper Motor Test**.\n\n**Your Argentum will now begin the oscillate and will not stop until you click the *Stop* button in the **Console** tab.\n\nWhile it is still oscillating, use your finger to apply a little resistance in the *X* and *Y* directions alternately. Try to apply approximately the force required to push a full mug of coffee across a smooth surface (or tea). \n\n**If the stepper motors don't move when you apply this force and begin to *skip* you will need to adjust your stepper motor current.**\n[block:callout]\n{\n \"type\": \"warning\",\n \"title\": \"Stop!\",\n \"body\": \"Now stop the test by clicking *Stop* in the **Console** tab.\"\n}\n[/block]\n\n\nIf your stepper motors appear to be functioning correctly, move on to the [**next section**](doc:calibration).\n\nOkay, so your steppers can't push a cup of coffee. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Start by opening the rear panel of your Argentum so that the motherboard is accessible.\n[block:image]\n{\n \"images\": [\n {\n \"image\": [\n \"https://files.readme.io/BgT4LrhSAeW6j5JODwl3_mobo.png\",\n \"mobo.png\",\n \"479\",\n \"192\",\n \"#c4292f\",\n \"\"\n ],\n \"caption\": \"Motherboard with x-axis stepper motor driver (top) and y-axis stepper motor driver (bottom) highlighted.\"\n }\n ]\n}\n[/block]\nStarting with the x-axis stepper motor driver, adjust the trim pot on the module all the way counter-clockwise. This will stop that motor from moving completely. You may have to reinitiate the stepper motor test multiple times while you configure the motor.\n[block:image]\n{\n \"images\": [\n {\n \"image\": [\n \"https://files.readme.io/ADyjuH86SI6bSpbtdMAj_stepper%20adjust.png\",\n \"stepper adjust.png\",\n \"311\",\n \"200\",\n \"#e9171f\",\n \"\"\n ],\n \"caption\": \"How to twiddle the stepper motor driver.\"\n }\n ]\n}\n[/block]\nNow turn the stepper motor current back up (turning the trim pot clockwise) until that motor starts to move again. Then turn the trim pot an additional 45-90;&deg to ensure that the motors don't skip if they encounter some small resistance during operation. Check that the application of a small amount of force does not cause the motor to start skipping.\n\nRepeat this procedure for the y-axis motor.\n\n[**Next >**](doc:calibration)","excerpt":"Twiddle it a bunch.","slug":"adjust-motor-current","type":"basic","title":"Adjust Motor Current"}

Assembly

Improving Print Quality

Adjust Motor Current

Twiddle it a bunch.

If you have an assembled Argentum, the stepper current should already be tuned. It's important to check just incase something has gone wrong during shipping.
[block:callout]
{
"type": "warning",
"title": "Turn off the power to your Argentum before continuing."
}
[/block]
Gripping the lowest part of the cartridge carriage (close to the rods), move the carriage to roughly the centre of the the printer area.
[block:image]
{
"images": [
{
"image": [
"https://files.readme.io/30rH8ejnRR2zLR39fbZe_Screen%20Shot%202015-03-05%20at%2011.41.13%20am.png",
"Screen Shot 2015-03-05 at 11.41.13 am.png",
"486",
"400",
"#b8282e",
""
],
"caption": "Carriage assembly in centre of print area."
}
]
}
[/block]
[block:callout]
{
"type": "warning",
"title": "Turn on the power to your Argentum before continuing."
}
[/block]
We will now perform a test of the stepper motors. The below instruction will cause your printer to start oscillating diagonally around the print area.
[block:callout]
{
"type": "info",
"title": "Stepper motor \"skipping\"",
"body": "Skipping sounds like your tray-table rattling during takeoff and occurs when the motor does not have access to enough current in order to overcome resistive forces in the desired direction of movement."
}
[/block]
Start **ARC** if it is not already running. Select **Printer** from the top menu bar then **Utilites > Stepper Motor Test**.
**Your Argentum will now begin the oscillate and will not stop until you click the *Stop* button in the **Console** tab.
While it is still oscillating, use your finger to apply a little resistance in the *X* and *Y* directions alternately. Try to apply approximately the force required to push a full mug of coffee across a smooth surface (or tea).
**If the stepper motors don't move when you apply this force and begin to *skip* you will need to adjust your stepper motor current.**
[block:callout]
{
"type": "warning",
"title": "Stop!",
"body": "Now stop the test by clicking *Stop* in the **Console** tab."
}
[/block]
If your stepper motors appear to be functioning correctly, move on to the [**next section**](doc:calibration).
Okay, so your steppers can't push a cup of coffee. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Start by opening the rear panel of your Argentum so that the motherboard is accessible.
[block:image]
{
"images": [
{
"image": [
"https://files.readme.io/BgT4LrhSAeW6j5JODwl3_mobo.png",
"mobo.png",
"479",
"192",
"#c4292f",
""
],
"caption": "Motherboard with x-axis stepper motor driver (top) and y-axis stepper motor driver (bottom) highlighted."
}
]
}
[/block]
Starting with the x-axis stepper motor driver, adjust the trim pot on the module all the way counter-clockwise. This will stop that motor from moving completely. You may have to reinitiate the stepper motor test multiple times while you configure the motor.
[block:image]
{
"images": [
{
"image": [
"https://files.readme.io/ADyjuH86SI6bSpbtdMAj_stepper%20adjust.png",
"stepper adjust.png",
"311",
"200",
"#e9171f",
""
],
"caption": "How to twiddle the stepper motor driver."
}
]
}
[/block]
Now turn the stepper motor current back up (turning the trim pot clockwise) until that motor starts to move again. Then turn the trim pot an additional 45-90;&deg to ensure that the motors don't skip if they encounter some small resistance during operation. Check that the application of a small amount of force does not cause the motor to start skipping.
Repeat this procedure for the y-axis motor.
[**Next >**](doc:calibration)